ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University alumnus Eric Pedersen has been named the 2025 South Dakota Special Education Staff of the Year, a statewide honor selected from more than 70 nominees.

Pedersen, a special education teacher at Aberdeen Central High School, was recognized during the South Dakota Special Education Conference in Rapid City, where he was announced as the winner among five finalists. The award, which is based on nominations from parents or guardians of students, celebrates educators who go above and beyond in their work with students who receive special education services.

“I am truly honored to have been recognized by those around me,” said Pedersen. “The true award is knowing that I have made a difference in someone’s life and that difference will translate into a successful individual.”

A 2020 graduate of Northern State University’s special education program, Pedersen now teaches in Central’s STRIVES classroom, which focuses on supporting students as they work through emotional challenges and behavioral barriers to learning.

“My goal is to assist students with reaching their personal and academic goals and really define what success looks like to them,” he said. “From there, we come up with plans to help them reach that success.”

Pedersen said the nomination process made the award especially meaningful.

“In my eyes, it’s all the more worthy knowing the people we do it for are grateful for the efforts we are taking for their child,” he said.

Dr. Nicole Schutter, chair of the Teacher Education Department at Northern State University, praised Pedersen’s commitment and impact in the classroom.

“We are incredibly proud of Mr. Pedersen for this well-deserved recognition,” Schutter said. “We prioritize personalized support and hands-on training to ensure every candidate is prepared to make a meaningful impact in the classroom. Seeing our graduates excel reaffirms NSU’s legacy of developing educators who are confident, capable, and ready to inspire the next generation.”

Along with teaching, Pedersen also coaches cross country and track and field. He said he strives to be a consistent, caring presence for his students.

“I am often told that this job takes a special person, which I often question,” he said. “I think the greatest thing you can do as a teacher is to be yourself, be honest, let students know you care about their small and large successes, and help them to achieve that success. Be as normal of a person as you can, because at the end of the day, we all need consistency and someone who pushes us to be our best—which in my eyes is special in itself.”

Pedersen is in his fourth year of teaching at Aberdeen Central.

Photo courtesy of Eric Pederson.